Special note: For the time being, to dissuade sneaky spammers, the submit
feature
of the DE357.com guestbook has been disabled. Click the link above to send a
mail with your comments and I'll personally post them for you. Thanks for
understanding, and rest assured your comments will go online very quickly!

From Norman... I know this looks bad. Jeez. The last post way
back in 2005? Well, I'm still here and so is your website. It's purely two
things. I don't get that many comments, and most I get aren't for posting. But
some of them are, and I didn't. So sorry!
A good deal has happened since 2005, including new
collections and great contacts. This website was even listed in the credits for
a documentary prepared in Hawaii about memories of Manila. They used some of our
Manila pics including one of the world famous Temptation Club. The top rated
documentary person, Stephanie Castillo really appreciated our help. You can see
her site here: http://www.olenamedia.com/
... And you can grab a copy of her documentary by clicking on the link
on the left.

About me, the editor person. You know I just put
this stuff on here. The fact is that this website is YOUR website. The
stories, information and photos are about the valiant crew of the
Destroyer Escort DE-357.com all things DE-357 that went into the making
of this epic. There are also a handful of extremely interesting, and
sometimes wholly unrelated pages on here too recommended by the friends
of the George E. Davis.
Personally, here at the OceanView Graphics complex, I continue to make
pages. I have nearly 30 or sites going at the time of this writing. My
flagship is GetCalhoun.com
which began as a local website, and has kinda grown. But, I tell
everyone, of all my stuff, the DE357.com site has brought me the most
pleasure, just because of good folks like you. It's about the second
large site I ever did, looks kinda dated these days, but has the feel of
a nice old, deep, cushy, overstuffed chair in front of a fireplace on a
cold evening.

You know, over the years I
haven't pushed the donation issue. Some years it is easy for me to put my own
money into the project, and some years it isn't. But, so far, I haven't had to.
The reason I hesitate to put my money into the site is that I think you think
more of the site when you have a few bucks in the game. I would do so if it
comes down to it though. But I really think you should do your part. If you can
give without having to resort to sending your butter and egg money, you should
do so. (I'm speaking to shipmates now.) A shipmate is, of course, an original
shipmate. But, by decree of the original shipmates at the 1991 reunion, I was
one of the, if not the first made shipmate. That is, the original crew
conferred this honor upon me. By extension, if you are a descendant or loving
relative of a shipmate, then you too are a shipmate. Thus, it is
collectively up to you to keep their memory alive. Our website here is one way
to do it until something better comes along. So, if you can. Give.
Our little kitty has the proud sum of $75 in it now.
Not much when compared to the national debt. But we get by.
I have set things up, as best as I can, by threatening
my family with much tauntings, yellings, and possible hauntings, to keep the
site alive if and when I kick it and take a vacation to that shining harbor up
in the sky to visit with the shipmates gone on. But, you have to do your part
too. Ok?

Here is how we work here... There are two components to
the site. Well, three, counting the site, which resides on my computer and the
hosting server. There is the site, the domain, which happens to be DE357.com,
and the hosting company. Ok.
The domain charge is $15 a year and is paid as far in
advance as permitted by Directnic. Ok.
My idea, way back, was to appeal to the better nature
of my web host at that time, CiHost, and ask them to donate hosting space. They
did, and have ever since up until the fall of this year (2009). One day I went
online and the site was gone. Poof. So, I called and was told that even though I
was promised that the site would remain on their server for as long as the creek
flowed and the grass growed, they had decided to change their business model.
Ergo, they lopped off this huge 42meg site. (42 megs is nothing these days. You
automatically get like 1666 times this space allotment when you sign up for a
free account with Google. But, their biz model changed, so we're gone without so
much as a bye bye email. Hmmpf!
Well, years ago, for my other sites, I switched to a
little company in California called NextMill. Their contact info is at the
bottom of all the pages on here now. They have been VERY good to me over the
years. I'm not kidding. So, feeling kind sheepish, I went to Brad Davis at
NextMill, hat in hand, and asked if he would host the site for a reduced rate or
for free. My wife Vicky told me...maybe he likes the navy.
Well, Brad wrote back nearly immediately:

We would be
more than happy to host this site for you, no cost! I grew up in a Navy
family too. My Dad was a P-3 pilot. We moved all over the country. Can
you imagine... I was born in Hawaii an then moved to Main 12 months
later. Talk about from hot to cold!

I will submit
the new order for DE357.com. Keep on the lookout for the account sheet.
Please let me know when you have the site up I would love to take a look.

Well, as I wrote to Brad, I'm not a big
cry baby, but I nearly cried when I got that mail. What a relief!
NextMill is a good and fair company, but they are in
business to make money. This is a for real grown up account, far in excess
better than what we had, though I don't have a need or intent to tax their
server much more than we already do, for we have a pretty good site here. Don't
you think? Mostly, any changes will be new additions to our Collections and
such. We still have folks writing every once in awhile with new pictures and
information. Can you believe it? It's very heartening. Friends, if we had to pay
for our hosting, with any company...and not just NextMill, I just don't know.
Our $75 we have stashed just wouldn't cover it.
So, whether you be shipmate, historian, or just an
interested surfer...If you enjoy your time here, please take a couple of minutes
to thank our friends at NextMill. Please. Click to visit their contact page.
Make your note to Brad Davis.

You can always contact me at shipmateAde357.com.
Replace the A with an @. This site is very popular with email harvesters and
friendly Nigerians, so we have to be a little sneaky too these days. You can
also visit with me at the old home20...
GetCalhoun@GetCalhoun.com. I have
some awesome protection on that little mail, so I don't worry about refugees
from chain gangs and bunko fugitives trying to sell me hair remover.

Well, shipmates, and fans of the DE357.com. I
hope you enjoy your visit here. Lots to read, view, and hear. We honor our
fathers who saved the world for us right here. Every day.

From Norman...This is a copy of a
mail we received from Chris Adams, the grandson of Chester Higbie...

Adams, Christopher wrote:

Hello Norman:
For my entire family, thank you for the site. My grandfather, Chet Higbie,
passed away today. He served on the original crew, and is in several of the
pictures on the site (King Neptune pic, 2nd row, shirtless with cloth around his
neck). We have spent hours on the site over the years, and I can't tell you how
much we appreciate your time and effort.
Thank you and have a good day,
Chris

Does anyone know were I can obtain a Hat with the De357 ship on it, or to obtain a colored Photo of the ship that is on the website Do you know were I can purchase this information. Thank you very much Don Mosley

I recently found a compass in an Antique store. I'm hopeing that somone might be able to shed some light on the origins of this compass. The only information provided to me is the following:
"From destroyed Japanese Ship
Found by George E. Davis in Lingayen Bay of Northern Luzon, Phillipine Islands.
September, 1945"
I have some pictures if you would like to see the compass. If you can help me out, please email me at philmott@hotmail.com.
Thank you

Hello Shipmates,
Just a quick programming note here. Lately, somewhere, somehow, our website has made it on some kind of list or program that people are using to post off topic and deceptive notes that compliment the site while listing their website. While it is a fact that listing a website on
guestbooks is a powerful way to increase search engine ratings, and it is a fact that there are millions of open guestbooks on the net that don't mind or care... it's simply
not permitted here. Spurious messages won't be up long enough to do anyone any good. That I can promise. Sincere, on topic messages, are encouraged, and topical like minded URL's are appreciated. On the other hand, I've been around long enough to know when we're being spammed. It's disrespectful to the theme of this website, and violates web ethics. Sigh.
Norm

Hello Shipmate Mark! Thanks for writing. Look through the postings on this page and send a note to the DE357 shipmates you see on here. While you are at it, please encourage the 2nd crew of the DE357 to participate more fully in this website. We don't have any pic or info about the second voyage. It would also be nice to have a contact from the second crew for folks like yourself. Gosh!!!!
Sincerely,
Norm

You can dispose of your tattered, worn out and frayed American flags without any charge to you whatsoever. Please send your flags to the Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866 and we will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner with full honors pursuant to the United States Code.
http://www.kitchentablegang.org
Thank you,
Charles Taliaferro
c_taliaferro@kitchentablegang.org

I just returned recently from the Geo. E reunion in Myrtle Beach,SC.Unfortunatly I and my wife were the only WW2 crew members in attendance.I now that2 others had conflicting committments and one decided it was't worth it if more of his shipmates did'nt plan to attend.In Stan,s last news letter before the Washington,DC. reunion that some else should step forward and make arrangements to continue the Davis reunions.Rod Hoffmaster,Jim Guthrie and others took him at his and made it happen. But apparently most the WW2 crew decide to call it quits.It is a shame that all of the time and effort put in by Trip, Whitey'and the rest of the reunion committee is going fall by the wayside if more of us don,t start to show more interest.The largest group of persons attending are the Korean crew.How about more our crew showing up in Albany NY. for the 2005 reunion.Hope to see more of you there.

Hello Shipmates!
If you are new to the website, or better, returning, you might be interested in the latest little addition.. Go to the LINKS page and scroll to about the middle and click the link to the article about the "Beef Boat"... It's an interesting piece and I can promise nobody else has it. While, strictly speaking, it has nothing to do with DE's... many a DE was provisioned by this naval supply ship. If you have seen the movie, or better, read the book, "Mr. Roberts", you may notice some striking similarities! It's historical, interesting, and funny, in its way!
Norm

While I don't have any direct connections to DE-357, I enjoyed the site! Thanks Norman for all your work.

Name: James A McAllisterEmail:n3trkAearthlink.newLocation: Philadelphia, PA USADate: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at 22:59:32Comments:

My father served aboard Your ship from her commission until the end of WWII. I don't know his rating. Belive he was a 3rd class gunner mate. His name was Edward J McAllister. He also was the Catholic Cahplin. I would love to hear from any on who knew him. Thank you

I met to say that my father,George A. Pfister, is the man standing to the left of the 6 sailors in the 1 picture, and also in the other 3 pictures showing,he is on the right of the one standing on deck with the other men, and sitting in the front row of the group shot. I miss him so much. His last reunion was in Sept 89' in Gailtinbug on his way down to visit me in SC to see his new grandson who was born then in Hurrician Hugo....Thank you, PS. Was the pet monkey stories true? He also wrote the poem on the ship"Ain't we a censored of a Mess".

My father was George A. Pfister who served so proudly on the Davis and was an electrician. He passed away 12 years ago and he always talked so foundley of all his crew mates and the bound that they all shared.. You all have been a part of my early childhood with all his stories. Please mail me if you remember him. Thank you and god bless each of you....His daughter Tammy Strichek tammy772001@yahoo.com

Enjoy reading all the messages,served June 45 to july 46 the reunion will be at Myrtle Beach,SC Sept,9-12 1904 would like to see more of the WW2 crew attending this year there were only 3 of us in Milwaukee.

Hello shipmates! I just recieved a very nice testimonial in email...which goes to the heart of our website (And all the other great DE sites out there). I wanted to share it with you.
Sincerely,
Norman Morrison

Dear Shipmate:
Thanks very much for providing the audio files. I teach American history and like to sometimes assign students to do projects based on primary historical sources. These are really excellent for that kind of thing!
Thanks again!
Best,
Ken Smith
Ellendale, North Dakota
kelandsmith A yahoo.com

My father; Walter H. White, served as Gunners Mate 1st on the Davis, 1944 to wars end. He was merely 18yrs old in 1944 but was proud of his brief service on the ship. He is deceased but some years back I purchased a book for him others of you may enjoyed titled "Little Ship, Big War"
Regards,
Michael White

Norman Morrison has suggested that I post this up here, in case some of your guys want to boost the membership:
Would you like to find dozens or hundreds of additional shipmates to invite to your reunions and to support your activities financially? The USS Rankin Association has discovered how to do these things, and we are ready to show others the way.
We think our record is something to be proud of. To cite only a part of it:
- We have identified every one of the 437 officers who served on our ship from 1945-1971.
- We have located all but 18 of them, living and deceased
- Of the 267 living officers we have found, over half have contributed money to finance our activities.
- Their typical contribution is $25. The largest is $300 (twice). The average is $33.77.
- Our enlisted record is similar, but with slightly smaller contributions.
- So far this year's contributions are running at about $1,000 per month.
Needless to say, it takes a lot of work to get such results, and it takes some seed money to get the effort underway. If you've got the workers, we can help you spend the minimum amount of money. If you've got the money, we can do much of the work on your behalf. We started with $125. You can probably do the same.
If you'd like to know more, just send email to the address above. Please identify the ship you are associated with, and tell us the years she was in commission.
Regards,
Louis "Skip" Sander
The USS Rankin Association

I really appreciate all of your work. Chester Higbie is my grandfather (machinists mate C2, 1944). He is 86, and lives in Beaumont, TX. His home is just a few miles from Orange, where the Davis currently resides.
It is important that we keep these stories and images alive for our children. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
Thank you again,
Chris

My father, George B. Howe, was the skipper of the Davis during the Korean period. He passed away April 12, 2002 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary.
The Davis was his first command, and his favorite. I remember, and have mementos, the South American cruise, and Maria the Italian war orphan etc.
My father and I attended a reunion in I believe 1997 or 1998 in Williamsburg Va. That reunion was a very emotional event for my father as he was struggling with the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or call (252)426-1819.

Norm;
You have done a remarable job with this web site. I'll bet your father would be busting buttons on his shirt with pride with all that you have accomplished.
I know you reach out to many former sailors with a site this good. Word of mouth alone may reach hundreds. I wonder if anyone has experience with the 50 destroyers that went to the Royal Navy in World War TWO?
The Lend Lease program interests me. I have some information on USS CONNER (DD-72), an early ship built with three stacks [not four] and three propellers [not two].
It would be great to contact someone who worked on the transfer of these tough "Tin Cans".
Jim Kelly [GMG3 - 1969-73] USS Wm. R. Rush (DD-714)

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE EFFORT PUT INTO COMPILING THIS ON THE GEORGE E. DAVIS. MY FATHER BILL SR. WAS THE CCS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE RETIRED BACK TO WV, AFTER SPENDING TIME IN SF. I DID GET TO TALK TO CAPT. LINCOLN ONCE ON THE PHONE. SORRY I DIDN'T GET TO MEET HIM IN PERSON. I HAVE SOME REAL INTERESTING THINGS IE, MENUS, LETTERS ETC. THAT MY DAD HAD SAVED. WOULD LOVE TO SHARE. THANKS AGAIN, SKIPPER
THAT IS A NICKNAME I HAVE HAD SINCE IT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY ONE OF THE SHIPMATES I HEARD AT A DINNER ON THE SHIP IN EITHER ORANGE, TX. OR NORFORK, NOT SURE.....

Thanks for having the site. I especially liked GE Davis's bio and the ship's WWII history, which I'd forgotten. I spent the summer of 1953 as a Midshipman enroute to Brazil, Cuba, etc.
I emailed the locally published reunion announcement to my classmates. I regret I can't make the reunion. Have fun!
Alex

Hello Tom and Doug,
I was with my friend Birgit in March I think 28 or 30 - 1993 in Almeria - Spain, met we two there friends Tom and Doug from a USS warship, Tom was 1993, 22 years old. We would stand gladly again with them in contact.
Who can help us to find the addresses.
Made a photo of us for it, I would like to get this photo gladly, thank in advance. Maybe someone knows the name of the warship in March 1993, in the port of Almeria
- Spain was. Please help me all. Yours sincerely Loretta E-Mail Loretta9Agmx.de

I sure am pleased with the much appreciated fantastic job you've done telling a lot of our never to be forgotten G.E. Davis 357 story. Brought back a million memories of a great ship with great officers and a super crew. If the bones and brain continue to hold together I'm planning on making the Milwaukee reunion in October. MM2c Jim Ferris

My uncle Herbert Joseph Taylor passed away on 05-09-2003.
He loved his time on the DE357. He always bragged that he was on the best crew in the Navy. God Bless Herb and all of his crew members. to me you are the best ! Thank You

TO All THAT SERVED THANK YOU. My name is bob jr my father robert r dippner sr served on the G.E.D. 357 DE from 8/45 to 5/46 . We just got our computer last week an iam just looking to say hello to maybe some of my dads shipmates .THANKS GOD BLESS

Congratulations. A terrific job! The visit to the Southern Philippines "..for its salutory effect on the local populace" was ordered by our group commodore. The places we visited (a shopping trip for the commodore) are now in the news regularly as centers of Islamist radicaism. We currently have troops operating there with Philippine army units. Also, there are personnel lists that include the many crew members who arrived aboard after the shakedown was over. Great job that will get even better as additions and remembrances are added. Check enclosed!

Norm Morrison, You have done a great job with the web site. The big supprise for me was to read the comments from Mrs. Jane Davis Merrick and her family. The late John Tripplet spent a lot of time trying to trace her whereabouts. The last we knew she was in the San Francisco aera. She was the topic of many discussions at our reunions. Sorry we did not know where she was because we had a reunion in New Orlaines in 1996 and it would have been an honor to have her present.
The 2003 reunion is scheduled for October, 16-17-18 in Milwaukee.
Norm Taillon

You are doing a great Job! I also love the precious audio archives. They are a treasure! Now I have them in my audio library. Thanks a lot!
With kindest regards from
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Alex Gorelov.

I'm the son of John E. Davis, youngest brother of the ship's namesake, George E. Davis. My uncle, killed in action in the South Pacific eight years before I was born, is an enduring presence in our family. Thanks for this tribute to the ship and crew.

Mr. Richard Tobin, a man of excellent vision, who is with the USS Tabberer DE 418, wrote and
suggested that our website needed a guest book. You know something? The man was right!
I suspect we have had quite a few shipmates through who haven't said hello. Maybe they are
scared by this new fangled email stuff. Well, now there is no excuse. Let us know you were by.
Keep it clean, and on topic. If you like, leave an email so that others can get in touch with you, and a
link, if you are with another ship. If it's ship's business, it never really goes out of date, you know.
Sincerely,
Norm (Son of Alabammer, Norman Edgar Morrison)